Manoranjan Pradhan, Indian Railway Stores Service Officer, Appointed General Manager of Rail Wheel Factory

Manoranjan Pradhan has been appointed General Manager of Rail Wheel Factory, moving from his previous position as Principal Chief Materials Manager at Integral Coach Factory.

Rail Wheel Factory manufactures wheels and axles for Indian Railways' rolling stock, a specialised production function distinct from locomotive or coach manufacturing but equally critical to the network's rolling stock supply chain, making the General Manager's oversight of production quality and output volume significant for the broader railway system's operational readiness.

Pradhan is an officer of the Indian Railway Stores Service, the cadre responsible for procurement, inventory management, and materials logistics across Indian Railways, a background that brings particular relevance to a production unit like Rail Wheel Factory where raw material procurement and supply chain management form a substantial part of the operational challenge alongside manufacturing itself.

His previous position as Principal Chief Materials Manager at Integral Coach Factory would have involved overseeing procurement and materials logistics for one of Indian Railways' major coach production units, experience that translates directly to managing the materials-intensive wheel and axle manufacturing process at Rail Wheel Factory.

Officers from the Indian Railway Stores Service reaching General Manager-level postings at production units is less common than mechanical or electrical engineering cadre officers taking these roles, reflecting a staffing choice that emphasises Pradhan's procurement and logistics expertise as particularly relevant to this specific production unit's operational needs.

Rail Wheel Factory's output feeds directly into the broader rolling stock manufacturing and maintenance ecosystem across Indian Railways, meaning consistent wheel and axle supply is a prerequisite for both new rolling stock production and ongoing maintenance of the existing fleet network-wide.

The appointment was processed through the Railway Board's standard process for General Manager-level postings at production units.